Billy Porter hits back at critics who object to him wearing a dress on 'Sesame Street'
Actor Billy Porter has fired back at critics who’ve voiced objection to him appearing on Sesame Street while wearing his famous Oscars tuxedo dress.
A petition was launched online calling for the episode to be pulled as it claimed the long-running children's show was "using drag queens to sexualise children", with backing from US State Senator Jason Rapert.
“If you don’t like it, don’t watch it,” Porter told Page Six in response to his detractors. “Like, what about me singing with a penguin [on the show] has anything to do with what I’m doing in my bedroom?”
Read more: Billy Porter steals the Golden Globes spotlight in feathered tuxedo and train
An iconic day with an iconic person ♥️ Thanks for visiting Sesame Street, @theebillyporter! #Season51 pic.twitter.com/Yre2PO4a0p
— Sesame Street (@sesamestreet) January 30, 2020
The Pose star added: "The really interesting thing for me is that that’s what it’s all about when it comes to LGBTQ people — the first thing everyone wants to talk about is how we having sex.
“Stay out of my bedroom and you will be fine — that is none of your business.”
Rapert shared the petition entitled "Parents demand Sesame Street remove show with drag queen" to his Facebook page informing followers that he'd signed it.
In another post, the Republican lawmaker opined that "taxpayer funds should not be used to try and manipulate young children with the political agenda and worldview of LGBTQ activism".
Porter, who regularly wears dresses, is not a drag queen although did win a Tony award for playing drag queen Lola in the Broadway version of musical Kinky Boots.
The 50-year-old trailblazer became the first openly gay black man to win in the Outstanding Lead Actor in a Drama Series category at the 2019 Emmy Awards for his role as Pray Tell in Pose.
As well as acting, he's also made a name for himself in the fashion world with his truly memorable outfits.
At London Fashion Week last year, he managed to make a grand total of 15 outfit changes in under 72 hours.